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Ontario’s Ford government quietly circulated an internal letter to all provincial ministries just days after passing its controversial special economic zones legislation, asking staff to suggest projects that could actually use the new powers. The June 2025 letter, obtained by Global News through freedom of information laws, reveals that the government had granted itself sweeping authority under Bill 5 without identifying specific projects in advance.
What Bill 5 Actually Does
Bill 5 dominated the spring 2025 sitting of the Ontario legislature. The law allows Premier Doug Ford and his cabinet to designate special economic zones where provincial and municipal rules — including environmental assessments — can be suspended.
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The legislation drew immediate and widespread criticism. First Nations leaders were particularly vocal, raising concerns that the law would fast-track mining developments in northern Ontario’s mineral-rich Ring of Fire region. Despite the backlash, the government used time allocation to limit debate and cut committee hearings short. Officials promised broader consultations after the law passed.
Government Asked Staff for Project Ideas After the Fact
Four days after Bill 5 received approval, Ford’s chief of staff Patrick Sackville and Secretary of Cabinet Michelle DiEmanuele sent a letter to all chiefs of staff across government ministries. The letter asked them to identify projects that could serve as use cases for the new special economic zone powers.
“Work is underway to develop the framework, criteria and regulations to enable these zones,” the letter stated. “We will also continue to monitor and work with the federal government on the One Canadian Economy legislation that has been introduced to remove federal internal trade barriers and advance national interest projects.”
The letter asked for project ideas that would create jobs, could move forward quickly, strengthen supply chains and deliver broad economic benefits. It also promised further consultations with Indigenous communities.
Critics Question the Government’s Approach
For opposition politicians, the letter raises serious questions about the government’s planning. Ontario Liberal interim leader John Fraser told Global News he found the situation remarkable.
“It’s just amazing to me that the government announces a signature policy, and they don’t know what they’re going to use it for,” Fraser said. “Then the question is if you didn’t know what you were going to do with it in the first place — why did you do it? You should have an idea of what the next year looks like in terms of your priorities. It seems very willy-nilly to me.”
Critics argue the letter confirms the government gave itself broad new powers without a clear plan. The Ford government did not respond to questions from Global News on the matter. It also remains unclear how many project ideas ministries submitted in response to the letter.
Powers Largely Unused More Than a Year Later
More than a year after passing the legislation, the Ford government has made little use of the powers it granted itself. The Ring of Fire, originally seen as the primary driver behind the law, now appears unlikely to receive a special economic zone designation. The province reached agreements with three northern communities to build all-season roads in the region, reducing the urgency for the designation.
Meanwhile, the government did announce plans to designate Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport as a special economic zone. The move aimed to speed up an expansion of the downtown airport site. However, the federal government later paused that plan, leaving the designation in limbo.
As a result, the legislation that reshaped a legislative session and sparked significant public debate has so far produced very little in the way of concrete action.
